238 THE GARDEN OF A 



Tim has a cold, she is quite sure, because he has 

 taken off his flannels too soon, "which, Mrs. Evan, 

 is risky for a man of his years " (Tim must be up- 

 ward of fifty), " and would you not kindly ask the 

 doctor that he cautions him ? " 



I asked her why she does not speak to Tim her- 

 self, as she has observed the cold and I have not, 

 and as a middle-aged widow she could certainly 

 mention flannels. 



" Indeed, Mrs. Evan, I thought it more proper-like 

 to come from a married woman that is recent, so to 

 say, me being so long widowed is the same as not 

 being ; and as for age, there's others older, ma'am. 

 The shape of those common bought flannels not 

 fittin' his leanin' figure might be at the bottom of 

 it. I bein' willin' to make up some more suitable 

 from always making Corkle's, if you'd but give me 

 the order so to do, Mrs. Evan." 



After a moment the complicated sentences straight- 

 ened themselves to my understanding, and I solemnly 

 said : 



" Martha, could you oblige me by making some 

 spring flannels for Timothy Saunders if the doctor 

 prescribes them for him ? " Whereat the nearest 

 approach to a smile I had ever seen there crossed 

 her features, and she actually dropped an old-world 



